BMW Finance – you could get compensation

The Australian Securities Investment Commission (ASIC) recently took action against BMW Australia Finance (BMW Finance) for signing up customers to car loans they could not afford between 1 January 20...
February 3, 2017

Time to abolish unfair energy appeals

At their meeting in Melbourne this week, Energy Ministers from around the country will consider an issue that has the potential to save households and businesses hundreds of millions of dollars each y...
December 7, 2016

Power price shock – fake discounts gouge Victorians

Energy price rises announced today will hit Victorians hard as the Consumer Action Law Centre warns energy companies to remember that their product is an essential service. "Over 60,000 Victorians...
December 1, 2016

iTutor Learning Systems

Consumer Action has assisted a Somali woman to file a complaint relating to education software, iTutor Learning Systems. The software was sold to the woman in her home by a salesperson representing Vi...
November 22, 2016

Transition to Metering Competition in Victoria

The Alternative Technology Association (ATA), Consumer Action Law Centre (Consumer Action), and Consumer Utilities Advocacy Centre (CUAC) welcome the opportunity to respond to the Energy Policy and Pr...
November 22, 2016

Parliamentary Inquiry into the Retirement Housing Sector

The Consumer Action Law Centre (Consumer Action) is pleased to contribute to the Parliamentary Inquiry into Retirement Housing, which we believes speaks to a real and urgent need for more effective re...
November 16, 2016

Second-hand cars: No warranty? No worries

Victorians have been handed a huge win after the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) confirmed that a car dealer can still be responsible for problems with a faulty car even where there...
November 11, 2016

General Exemption Order Review

Consumer Action has joined with Consumer Utilities Advocacy Centre to make a submission to the Department of Land, Water and Planning Position Paper on the General Exemptions Order. The Paper proposes...
September 1, 2016

Legal action against Get Qualified Australia

Consumer Action has assisted a 34 year old migrant to take legal action against Get Qualified Australia. GQA claims to assist people with the process of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). RPL is an...
August 19, 2016

Power Transformed

The rapid development of new technology in electricity supply is disrupting the traditional means of delivery of this essential service. As in other sectors, the consumer is at the heart of these chan...
July 31, 2016

Power Transformed

The rapid development of new technology in electricity supply is disrupting the traditional means of delivery of this essential service. As in other sectors, the consumer is at the heart of these chan...
July 31, 2016

Submission to the ESC Water Pricing Approach Review

Consumer Action has partnered with the Consumer Utilities Advocacy Centre and the Victorian Council of Social Service to provide a submission to the Essential Services Commission Position Paper, A New...
July 29, 2016

AER Electricity Ring-Fencing Guideline

Ring-fencing is undertaken when a monopoly business also operates in a contestable market, and some form of functional separation is deemed necessary to ensure the market remains competitive. Read...
June 2, 2016

Vendor terms and rent-to-buy schemes

Vendor terms or 'rent-to-buy' schemes promise to help you buy property when you don’t have the income, savings or credit history to get a regular mortgage. Often there’s a broker or agent who advertis...
March 4, 2016

VET Sector needs a national ombudsman: Consumer Action

Consumer Action Law Centre welcomes reforms announced today by the Federal Government for the vocational education and training (VET) sector and calls for the establishment of a national ombudsman sch...
December 1, 2015

Acquiring a long list of complaints on privacy

The privacy commissioner has been called in to investigate allegations that the Privacy Act is being flaunted by an education company targeting job-seekers to sell vocational courses. Consumer Acti...
October 28, 2015

Retirement living parliamentary event

Consumer Action hosted a morning tea at Parliament House on 9 October 2015 which brought together over 70 retirement housing residents with their local parliamentarians. It was a hugely successful d...
October 21, 2015

The common car product you might get a refund for

Australians are demanding better from the products sold with used cars and winning. Sarah from Melbourne’s south east thought she had to buy an extended warranty in order to get a loan. Consumer Ac...
October 20, 2015

Used car warranties: Phil’s story

Phil* bought a used car as a gift for his granddaughter in October 2014. He also bought a motor vehicle warranty from National Warranty Company. Phil paid $4500 for the car and $295 for the warranty....
October 19, 2015

Senate inquiry backs VET Industry Ombudsman

Consumer Action Law Centre reiterates its call for the establishment of an Industry Ombudsman in the vocational education sector as recommended in a Senate report released today. The release of "Th...
October 16, 2015

Submission to the Energy Hardship Inquiry Draft Report

Consumer Action Law Centre (Consumer Action) welcomes the opportunity to provide input into the Essential Services Commission's (the Commission) Inquiry into the financial hardship arrangements of ene...
October 12, 2015